This archive report was first published on 7 October 2021.
On October 7, 2021, Interior and Coordination of National Government secretary Fred Matiang'i announced the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to conduct a fresh audit on Kenya Power's supply and demand needs, and pricing policies.
The committee, which will oversee reforms at the utility firm, will comprise members from various government agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Central Bank's Financial Reporting Centre, and the Assets Recovery Agency.
According to Dr. Matiang'i, the committee will conduct a forensic audit of Kenya Power's systems and procedures to reduce system losses, including the theft of power, and address challenges that result in passing unnecessary costs to consumers.
The announcement comes a week after President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a directive requiring a 33 percent reduction of electricity tariffs by Christmas, with the aim of bringing the average cost of a kilowatt-hour (kWh) to Sh16 from the current Sh24 unit.
President Kenyatta also ordered the cancellation of all ongoing and incomplete power purchase agreements being negotiated with the State distributor, and replaced Charles Keter with Monica Juma as Cabinet Secretary for Energy.
